Crochet hook and grip body for crochet hook

ABSTRACT

A crochet hook can include: a rod-like crochet-hook shaft 2 which has a tip formed with a hook portion  4;  and a grip body  3  which covers a base-end side of the crochet-hook shaft  2,  with a tip of the shaft protruding therefrom. The grip body includes: a base-end portion  5  which has substantially uniform in its section taken in a vertical direction to a longitudinal axis of the grip body; and a grip portion  6  which is formed on a tip-end side of the base-end portion and formed with a recess  7  on a side in its outer circumference. The recess is formed on a side where the hook portion has a catching head  8.  The recess has an arc-like section, with a longitudinal center region being sunken. The crochet-hook shaft has its tip shifted to a side away from the side formed with the recess.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to crochet hooks for hand crocheting, and to grip bodies for crochet hooks. More specifically, the invention relates to crochet hooks capable of reducing finger slippage during use, and providing a snug fit between the hook and the hand during crocheting.

BACKGROUND ART

A crochet hook used in conventional hand crocheting work is often stick-like and entirely made of metal, with a hook portion formed at its tip for catching a yarn.

The crochet hook made of metal is much thinner than human fingers throughout its entire length, so it slips easily in the hand, and is difficult to grip stably by hand. Another problem with these metal crochet hooks is that it is not possible to efficiently use the gripping force of the hand, and therefore the user often feel fatigue in the hand after hours of crocheting work.

In an attempt to reduce the problem, some crocket hooks have a grip body which is made of a soft resin material, at a gripping position on the crocket hook, for easier gripping.

LIST OF REFERENCES

Patent Literature 1: JP-Y 130850 Gazette

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

According to the invention disclosed in Patent Literature listed above, a crochet-hook shaft of a metal has its tip formed with a hook portion, and has its base-end side, which includes a portion to be gripped by hand, provided with a grip body.

In order to reduce fatigue in hand work using a crochet hook, it is important that the crochet hook is easy to handle with gripping forces exerted from the hand, that the crochet hook can be gripped with a small amount of force as possible, and that the crochet hook has a snug fit with the hand for use.

According to the invention disclosed in Patent Literature listed above, it is easy to grip the hook, and it is possible to reduce the force necessary for gripping the hook to some extent, due to the grip body which is thicker than the hook shaft and is formed at a portion where the hook is gripped by hand. However, there is a problem with the crochet hook which has such a grip body as the above: The grip body, which has a section greater in diameter than the crochet-hook shaft, makes it easy to grip with a smaller amount of force but it also makes it difficult to pick the yarn when crocheting. In addition, a feeling of snug fit in the hand is reduced.

The inventor of the present invention found that the grip body alters a relative position of the hook portion, which is formed at the tip of the crochet-hook shaft, with respect to the hand, from a traditional position of the hook portion in ordinary crochet hooks, thereby reducing the feeling of snug fit.

Specifically, as a result of providing the grip body, the user's fingers on the grip body are off the surface of crochet-hook shaft by a thickness of the grip body, in comparison to the traditional case where the rod-like crochet-hook shaft is held directly by the hand. This alters the distance from the hook portion to the position where the hand and fingers are placed to grip the crochet hook, and a gripping angle. Consequently, depending on the position to grip, the user often feels that it is difficult to pick the yarn and/or that there is not a snug fit between the hand and the crochet hook.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the problems described above, and provide a crochet hook which is not only easy to grip but also gives a snug fit with hand in use.

Means for Solving the Problems

A crochet hook according to the present invention includes: a rod-like crochet-hook shaft having a tip formed with a hook portion; and a grip body covering a base-end side of the crochet-hook shaft, with a tip portion of the shaft protruding therefrom. The grip body includes a base-end portion which has substantially uniform in its section taken in a vertical direction to a longitudinal axis of the grip body; and a grip portion disposed on a tip-end side of the base-end portion and formed with a recess on a side in its outer circumference. The recess is formed on a side where the hook portion has a catching head. The recess has an arc-like section, with a longitudinal center region being sunken. With these arrangement, The crochet-hook shaft has its axis at its tip portion shifted, with respect to an axis of the base-end portion, to a side which is away from the side formed with the recess.

After trials and errors, the inventor of the present invention found that the above-described problems can be avoided if the hook portion is positioned at a certain place with respect to a position where the thumb is placed. Specifically, the thumb is the primary player in controlling movements of a catching head of the crochet hook in crocheting, and by having the hook portion at an appropriate position determined from the position of the thumb as a reference, it becomes easy to pick the yarn, with a snug fit of the crochet hook with the hand.

In conventional crochet hooks, the grip body does not have a specific portion intended for positioning the thumb so that users will place their thumb at any place when they hold the crochet hook. As a result, not only is the thumb on the grip body located off the crochet-hook shaft but also there is no way for placing the thumb onto a specific axial position. For these reasons, it was not possible to keep a specific position of the hook portion with respect to the thumb, and this caused such problems as difficulty in picking the yarn and lack of sufficient feeling of fit between the crochet hook and the hand.

The inventor of the present invention also found that in order to obtain a snug fit between the crochet hook and the hand, it is preferable that the catching head of the hook portion should be on a line which is drawn from the portion where the thumb is placed (surface of the grip body) axially of the base-end portion.

The present invention provides a grip body, which has a base-end portion, and a grip portion as a tip-end side of the base-end portion. The grip portion is formed with a recess on a side of its outer circumference. Although there is no specific limitation to the shape of a section of the base-end portion, it is preferable that the base-end portion is rod-like, being substantially uniform in its section taken in a vertical direction to an axis of the grip body. In the present invention, the base-end portion is used as a reference to determine dimensions and the shape of the grip portion. The recess is formed on a side where the hook portion has the catching head, and the recess has an arc-like section, with a longitudinal center region being sunken. Thus, by gripping the grip portion with the thumb placed in the recess, the thumb is automatically positioned at a predetermined axial and circumferential location. The recess is made in a circumferential surface of the grip body, like a cutout made by using a curving chisel having a cylindrical cutting edge. This shifts the thumb position close to the crochet-hook shaft. This makes it possible to position the catching head of the crochet hook on a line which is drawn from the thumb position axially of the base-end portion.

Further, the inventor found that it becomes easy to pick the yarn if the crochet-hook shaft has its tip portion shifted with respect to the axis of the base-end portion to the side away from the side formed with the recess. Specifically, crocheting is a cycle of inserting a hook portion of the crochet hook through an appropriate loop of a piece of work and then picking the yarn. The work is usually at a lower height than the thumb, and therefore, it becomes easy to pick the yarn in the crocheting cycle if the hook portion is shifted to the other side than the side formed with the recess, i.e., to the side away from the side on which the thumb is placed. Especially in the present invention, the recess makes the thumb position close to the crochet-hook shaft, and this made it possible to position the tip of the crochet-hook shaft, i.e., the catching head of the hook portion, on a line extended from the thumb, onto a position which is shifted, with respect to the axis of the base-end portion, to the side away from the side where the recess is formed.

There is no specific limitation to the amount of shift of the tip of the crochet-hook shaft (a distance between the axis of the crochet-hook shaft and that of the base-end portion at the tip of the crochet-hook shaft). However, it is preferable that the axis of the crochet-hook shaft at the tip thereof should be shifted by 0.4 through 1 mm in the direction vertical to the base-end portion in a case where the crochet-hook shaft is extended from the grip body by 35 mm. There is no specific limitation, either, in the method of shifting the shaft to the side away from the side formed with the recess beyond the shaft of the base-end portion. For example, a straight crochet-hook shaft may be slanted by 0.4° through 0.6° with respect to the axis of the base-end portion toward the side formed with the recess. It should be noted here that the amount of the shift may be varied depending on the thickness of the grip body and the amount by which the crochet-hook shaft is extended.

If the slant angle of the crochet-hook shaft is smaller than 0.4°, the amount of shift at the tip of the crochet-hook shaft is too small and none of the advantages are expected. If the slant angle is greater than 0.6° on the other hand, then, the grip body must be made too thin at the base-end portion, i.e., it becomes impossible to provide the grip body. Thus, it is preferable, within the angle range specified above, to position the catching head on the line which is drawn axially from the thumb position. As an alternative way of making the slant, only part of the crochet-hook shaft which extends from the grip body may be bent.

By slanting the axis of the crochet-hook shaft toward the side away from the side on which the recess is formed with respect to the axis of the base-end portion, the hook portion of the crochet-hook shaft comes to a shifted position as compared to the conventional crochet hooks, onto the side away from the thumb position. This arrangement makes it easy to insert the hook portion through a loop of the crochet, and also to pick the yarn. This gives a new feel of fit not experienced before during crocheting, and provides an advantage of reducing fatigue when working with the crochet hook for long hours.

If the crochet-hook shaft has a uniform thickness throughout its length, then the thickness of the grip body has to be reduced in the region where the recess is formed. This poses a problem that it is not possible to provide a recess having a necessary depth to reliably position the thumb, and/or a problem that gripping comfort is reduced because the bottom region of the grip does not have appropriate thickness. According to the present invention, the crochet-hook shaft is slanted, and this makes it possible to increase the thickness of the grip body in the region where the recess is formed. This also provides an advantage that it is possible to form the recess of a necessary depth.

Further, in order to give a sufficient depth to the recess, it is preferable to flatten part of the crochet-hook shaft which is covered by a portion of the grip body where the recess is formed. This arrangement makes it possible to provide the recess having a deeper recess. Also, the arrangement makes it easy to position a radially outer surface of the hook portion on a line which is drawn in the axial direction, from the bottom surface of the recess.

It is preferable that the recess has a depth of 1 through 2 mm from a surface of the base-end portion. The arrangement allows the thumb to be positioned onto a predetermined place, and prevents slippage in the axial direction on the grip portion. The arrangement also makes it possible to hold the crochet hook with a small amount of gripping force. If the depth of the recess is shallower than 1 mm, it is not possible to reliably keep the thumb in place. On the other hand, it is difficult to form the recess deeper than 2 mm, and in addition, that increases the thickness of the grip body in the other areas and decreases comfort in use.

Further, it is preferable to form a first bulge bulging radially outward from a surface of the base-end portion, on a side away from the side where the recess is formed, beyond the axis of the base-end portion in between; and a pair of second bulges bulging radially outward from the surface of the base-end portion on two sides of the recess, in a direction vertical to the direction in which the first bulge extends. It is preferable that each bulge has a maximum bulging height at a place corresponding to the bottom surface of the recess, and has a section, which is taken across the axis, formed in an arc-like shape or like an outer circumferential surface of a cylinder.

Further, areas between these bulges may be formed as grip surfaces for positioning the forefinger and the middle finger. This makes it possible to reliably counter a pressing force exerted by the thumb, with the forefinger and the middle finger placed on the grip surface. This also reduces the amount of force necessary to grip the hook, and improves operability.

There is no specific limitation to the shape of each bulge, but it is preferable that the bulge has a maximum height of 2 through 3 mm from the surface of the base-end portion. This arrangement makes it possible to provide a grip surface which allows for a sufficient amount of gripping force to be exerted.

It is preferable to form the base-end portion into a rod-like shape having a circular section. Also, it is preferable that the catching head has its radially outer surface on a radially more outer side than a line drawn to pass the bottom surface of the recess in parallel to the axis of the base-end portion, but on a radially more inner side than a line drawn as an extension of a surface of the base-end portion in which the recess is formed. The arrangement positions the catching head, which is a portion to hook and thereby catch the yarn, substantially on a line which is drawn axially of the base-end portion, from (the surface of) the thumb position. This makes it easy to pick the yarn, and gives a snug fit between the crochet hook and the hand.

Usually, the grip portion is held by the thumb, the forefinger and the middle finger. In order to hold the grip portion more stably, it is preferable that the portion formed with the recess has a generally triangular section which is vertical to the axis of the base-end portion, constituted by the bottom surface of the recess and the pair of grip surfaces formed between the first bulge and the second bulges. The arrangement make it possible to hold the crochet hook with the fingers positioned more stably. In particular, it becomes possible to guide each finger reliably to a predetermined angular position around the axis, and therefore to improve operability of the crochet hook. This also reduces the amount of gripping force necessary to handle the crochet hook. Further, it is now easy even for a beginner to find the thumb position on the crochet hook. The invention is suitably applicable to crochet hooks for beginners.

The grip surface may be flattened. Further, the bottom surface of the recess and the pair of grip surfaces may be formed as curved surfaces having a slightly sunken centers, in order to increase the fit between each finger and the grip portion. There is no specific limitation to the amount of recesses. For example, the recess may have a depth of 0.02 mm through 0.12 mm to see the advantage of the arrangement.

There is no specific limitation to the length by which the crochet-hook shaft extends from the grip body. It is preferable, however, that the shaft is extended by the length of 30 through 40 mm from the tip of the grip. If the amount of extension is smaller than 30 mm, the catching head is too close to the thumb, which narrows the range where the catching head can be moved and decreases operability. If greater than 40 mm on the other hand, the range of movement of the catching head is too wide, which makes it difficult to pick the yarn. It is preferable that the extension length is set first, and then the catching head is positioned at the place described above.

Advantages of the Invention

The present invention provides a crochet hook which prevents slippage of the fingers, allows the fingers to be at appropriately positioned during crocheting, and is operable with a snug fit with the hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a crochet hook according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the crochet hook in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the crochet hook in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken in lines IV-IV in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken in lines V-V in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken in lines VI-VI in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken in lines VII-VII in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken in lines VIII-VIII in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a primary portion in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a primary portion in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the crochet hook in FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a crochet hook 1 according to the present embodiment includes a crochet-hook shaft 2 which is made of a metal, and a grip body 3 which is made of a resin formed integrally with the crochet-hook shaft 2 to cover a base-end side 2 a thereof. The crochet-hook shaft 2 has its tip-end side formed with a hook portion 4 for picking thereby catching a yarn.

The crochet-hook shaft 2 may be formed of various metals. Examples of the usable metals include ferrous materials such as stainless steel, and aluminum alloys. There is no specific limitation, either, in the method for forming the grip body 3 or the material therefor. For example, injection molding method with an insert of the crochet-hook shaft 2 may be utilized for the formation. Alternatively, the grip body 3 may be formed separately, and then the crochet-hook shaft 2 may be inserted integrally into the grip body 3. The grip body 3 may be formed of various materials. Preferably, however, an elastic material selected from a group of elastomer resin, such as silicone elastomer resin, should be used.

The grip body 3 includes a base-end portion 5 on the base-end side of the crochet-hook shaft 2, and a grip portion 6 on a tip-end side thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, the base-end portion 5 has a substantially circular section, which is taken vertically to a longitudinal axis 9, and the shape of the section does not change in the direction of the axis 9. As will be described hereafter, the sectional shape of the grip body 3 changes smoothly from the one shown in FIG. 4 through the one in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the grip portion 6 has its outer circumferential surface partially cut away in an arc shape on one side, to form a recess 7. The recess 7 is on the same side as the side where the hook portion 4 is formed with a catching head 8, and has an arc-like section, with a longitudinal center region being sunken. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the recess 7 has its two longitudinal ends substantially as high as a radial height of the base-end portion 5, has its longitudinal center region sunken radially inward of the base-end portion 5, and has a section taken on the axis 9 having an arc-like edge. In the present embodiment, the recess 7 has a longitudinal length L2 of approximately 30 mm, with a longitudinal distance L3 from a center of the recess to a tip of the grip body 3 being approximately 18 mm. The recess 7 has a depth H1, from the center to a surface 5 a of the base-end portion 5, of

The recess 7 is a place to position the thumb. The recess 7 prevents slippage of the thumb in longitudinal directions, making possible to position the thumb at a predetermined longitudinal position. Since the recess 7 has its longitudinal center located at a distance of L3=approximately 18 mm from the tip of the grip body 3 in the present embodiment as has been described earlier, a thumb position is naturally set here when gripping the crochet hook. The crochet-hook shaft 2 protrudes from the tip of the grip body by a length L1 of approximately 35 mm, which sets a distance between the thumb and the tip of the crochet-hook shaft 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, part of the crochet-hook shaft 2 covered by the recess 7 is flattened in order to give a sufficient depth to the recess 7. This makes it easy to form the recess 7 of a sufficient depth.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, a first bulge 10 bulges radially more outward than the surface of the base-end portion 5, on a side of the grip portion 6 away from the side, with the axis 9 in between, where the recess 7 is formed. While bulging more radially outward than the surface of the base-end portion 5, the first bulge 10 has a section, which is taken on the axis 9, having an arc-like edge. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 11, on two sides of the recess 7, a pair of second bulges 11, 11 protrude radially more outward than the surface of the base-end portion 5 in a direction vertical to the direction in which the first bulge 10 extends. The second bulges 11, 11 give the recess 7 an increased width of the bottom surface in the direction vertical to the axis 9. The bulges 10, 11, 11 give a generally triangular section, as defined by connecting their mutually adjacent apices, to the portion where the bulges are formed.

The bulges 10, 11, 11 increase the section of the grip portion 6, making it possible for the forefinger and the middle finger to reliably counter a pressing force exerted by the thumb. This makes it easy to grip the crochet hook, and reduces the amount of force necessary to grip the hook. The arrangement also improves operability of the crochet hook.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first bulge 10 in the present embodiment has a maximum height H2 of approximately 2 mm from the surface of the base-end portion 5. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 11, the second bulges also have a maximum height H3 of approximately 2 mm from the surface of the base-end portion 5. With the above, areas between these bulges are flattened to serve as grip surfaces 10 a, 10 b as places for the forefinger and the middle finger. This arrangement provides areas for the forefinger and the middle finger large enough for letting these fingers exert sufficient amount of gripping forces.

It is preferable, as shown in FIG. 5, that each of the bottom surface 7 a of the recess and the grip surfaces 10 a, 10 b of the bulges which constitute the triangular section in the grip portion 6 should be formed as a curved surface having a center slightly sunken inward. By making each of the grip surfaces 7 a, 10 a, 10 b have a recessed center, it becomes less likely that the fingers contacting these areas will experience slippage, while making possible to reliably position each finger on a predetermined position. There is no specific limitation to the depth of the recesses. It is preferable, however, that the bottom surface 7 a of the recess 7 is sunken by 0.13 through 0.15 mm, and the grip surfaces 10 a, 10 b are sunken by 0.02 through 0.03 mm.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the catching head 8 has a radially outer surface 8 a on a radially more outer side than the bottom surface 7 a of the recess 7 but radially more inner side than the surface of the base-end portion 5. In other words, the position of the catching head 8 is shifted toward the thumb side. The arrangement means that the catching head 8, which hooks thereby catches the yarn, is on a line drawn from the thumb position (bottom surface 7 a) in parallel to the axis 9. This makes it easy to pick the yarn, gives a snug fit between the crochet hook and the hand, and provides an advantage of reducing fatigue when crocheting with the crochet hook 1 for long hours.

As shown in FIG. 9, the crochet-hook shaft 2 is slanted with respect to the axis 9 of the base-end portion 5, i.e., the crochet-hook shaft has its axis 2 c slanted by θ=0.5 degrees to the side away from the side where the recess 7 is formed. The angle θ may be changed depending on dimensions and the shape of the grip body 3, the radial position of the catching head 8, etc. It is preferable, however, that the angle θ should be set to a value between 0.4 through 0.6 degrees to provide good settings for the thickness of the grip body 3 and the depth of the recess 7.

By slanting the crochet-hook shaft 2 toward the side away from the side on which the recess 7 is formed, the hook portion 4 of the crochet-hook shaft 2 comes to a shifted position as compared to the conventional crochet hooks, to the side away from the thumb position. This arrangement makes it easy to insert the hook portion 4 through a loop of the crochet, and also to pick the yarn. This gives a new feel of fit not experienced before, when crocheting with the hook, and provides an advantage of reducing fatigue when working with the crochet hook for long hours.

If the crochet-hook shaft 2 had a uniform thickness throughout its length, then the thickness of the grip body 3 would have to be reduced in the region where the recess 7 is formed, resulting in a problem that the recess 7 would not have a necessary depth, or gripping comfort would be reduced. According to the present invention, the crochet-hook shaft 2 is slanted, which makes it possible to increase the thickness of the grip body in the region where the recess 7 is formed. This offers an advantage that it is possible to form the recess 7 of a necessary depth.

Use of the arrangements described thus far makes it possible to prevent finger slippage, and to position each of the fingers at their predetermined position on the grip body 3. Therefore, it is possible to provide a crochet hook which makes it easy to pick the yarn, and also gives a snug fit in hand when crocheting.

The embodiment described thus far does not limit the scope of the present invention. The embodiment disclosed herein is byway of an example in every aspect, and must not be regarded as limiting in any way. The scope of the present invention is defined, not by the words described hereabove but by Claims, with all variations within the scope of equivalents to which the Claims are entitled included therein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

There is provided a crochet hook which is not only easy to grip but also reduce fatigue, and gives a snug fit in hand when crocheting.

Legend 

1. A crochet hook comprising: a rod-like crochet-hook shaft having a tip formed with a hook portion; and a grip body covering a base-end side of the crochet-hook shaft, with a tip portion of the shaft protruding therefrom; wherein the grip body includes a base-end portion which has substantially uniform in its section taken in a vertical direction to a longitudinal axis of the grip body; and a grip portion formed on a tip-end side of the base-end portion and formed with a recess on a side in its outer circumference; wherein the recess is formed on a side where the hook portion has a catching head, the recess having an arc-like section, with a longitudinal center region being sunken; and wherein the crochet-hook shaft has its tip shifted to a side which is away from the side formed with the recess, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the base-end portion.
 2. The crochet hook according to claim 1, wherein the crochet-hook shaft has its longitudinal axis slanted by a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the base-end portion, to a side away from the side formed with the recess.
 3. The crochet hook according to claim 2, wherein the crochet-hook shaft has the longitudinal axis slanted by an angle of 0.4 degrees through 0.6 degrees with respect to the axis of the base-end portion, to the side away from the side formed with the recess.
 4. The crochet hook according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion includes: a first bulge bulging radially outward from a surface of the base-end portion, on a side away from the side where the recess 7 is formed, with the axis of the base-end portion in between; and a pair of second bulges bulging radially outward from the surface of the base-end portion on two sides of the recess, in a direction vertical to the direction in which the first bulge extends, and has a generally triangular section constituted by a bottom surface of the recess and a pair of grip surfaces formed between the first bulge and the second bulges.
 5. The crochet hook according to claim 1, wherein the recess has a maximum depth of 1 through 2 mm from a surface of the base-end portion.
 6. The crochet hook according to claim 1, wherein the base-end portion is formed like a rod having a circular section, and wherein the catching head has a radially outer surface on a radially more outer side than a line drawn to pass the bottom surface of the recess in parallel to the axis of the base-end portion but radially more inner side than a line drawn as an extension of a surface of the base-end portion on the side where the recess is formed.
 7. The crochet hook according to claim 4, wherein each grip surface included in the triangular section is formed as a curved surface having a sunken center.
 8. The crochet hook according to claim 4, wherein the first bulge and the second bulges have a maximum bulging height of 2 through 3 mm from a surface of the base-end portion.
 9. The crochet hook according to claim 1, wherein part of the crochet-hook shaft which is covered by a portion of the grip body where the recess is formed is flattened.
 10. The crochet hook according to claim 1, wherein the crochet-hook shaft extends from a tip of the grip body by a length of 30 through 40 mm.
 11. The crochet hook according to claim 1, wherein the crochet-hook shaft is made of a metal, whereas the grip body is made of a soft, elastic material.
 12. The grip body for any of the crochet hooks according to claim
 1. 